I know a lot of you have your setup (computer-wise) in your sigs, but I was just curious what machines everyone runs, has run, recommends, etc?  Anybody build their own?  Anyone else (like me) use gaming setups?  How many of you still run desktops?  And....why?
 
I started using gaming laptops several years ago.  I used Alienware for a long time, but after having a few hard drive failures, I started using ASUS ROG gaming laptops and am absolutely thrilled with them.
 
However, we're looking at some desktop rigs for gaming for the wife, and I started getting a bit jealous.  They lack the portability obviously, but some of the MSI, ASUS, and CyberPower desktop rigs look pretty sweet with a lot of bells and whistles...that are just as powerful (if not moreso) than my rig.

Also, curious as to everyone's thoughts on Intel vs. AMD?  Historically, for me, Intel chips have always performed better and withstood a heavier workload than AMDs, but again, looking at some of these rigs for the wife, AMD seems to have really stepped up their game (no pun intended) to appeal to the gaming crowd, with 6-core, 4 GHz+ chips and such.  Thoughts?

If you like using high performance laptops, I don't think you can get better than Clevo shells.

I've always used desktops simply because of the relative ease of performing upgrades, modifications etc (he says typing this on his laptop)

Hi. I am on a desktop as well. Always have been. As mentioned it is easy to upgrade, and I like to know what is inside.
I build them myself for economic reasons
All the best.

Mine is a self built desktop.  I have a laptop, that has Sonar on it for on-site recordings, but it mostly collects dust.  The desktop is much more versatile.
My system is in my sig.
 

build my own rigs, always have. most recent rig built a few months ago:
Intel I7 4790K 1150LGA, 16GB corsair, soundproof case, onboard graphics.
 
remember when building/buying a high performance set up for music recording, a graphics card is not as important as it is like in gaming. you don't need to spend 500.00 on a GC.
use that extra cash on cpu or ram.
 
I've used/use laptops (I have a mobile unit now) but I still do all my professional work on a desk top.
the cooling, upgrades, maintenance is much easier to work with.

Yes I should add that I would only use a laptop if I wanted to be mobile. I have a desktop and a laptop at the moment and my desktop is the studio workhorse. I haven't really done any projects that the Clevo couldn't handle but a desktop is just so much nicer, cheaper, and easier to maintain.

I agree with the others in that my main workstation is a desktop. I have Sonar on a laptop on those rare occasions when I am doing something in the field, but would much rather do the heavy lifting on the desktop. Also, hope to move to dual screens in the not too distant future, as that can make a big difference in your workflow. You don't have to switch between track view and console view like I do now on a single screen.
 
Just a thought...

Same here, my main studio computer is a self built desktop (rebuilt once in 9 years.)  They are easier to work with and much more expandable from a drive/card perspective.  I think they tend to be quieter too.
 
I have sonar on a laptop, but I don't really use it much because the interface that is compatible with it is not very good as an interface.  For remote recording I am more likely to use the BR800 as a standalone recorder anyway.

I always built my own, but Dell's we're so much quieter. Some to the point in my lab at work where one would even wonder if they were on. So I had a customer who forsook his Dell Precision Workstation w quad xeons leave it with me to "recycle" some years back. I took it for my DAW as it was powerful but very quiet. I put it in the closet off my mix station and close the sliding wood doors. - very quiet.
 
The most power with the smallest noise footprint works for me. - no fans on the video card either.
 
I use desktops as while I would love to mix on a recliner in the living room, I like the basement with the Mackie monitors and all the trappings of my audio workstation.